OXFORD Circus station was evacuated after "pandemonium' broke out with armed police on the scene after people run away screaming when "shots were fired" in the busy London station.

Oxford Circus station was evacuated after "shots" were reported to have been fired inside the busy London station during rush hour.

A witness said: "I was actually in the tube station when the incident – whatever the incident is – happened.

"I was going down the escalators and I heard over the tannoy system ‘Can an officer please report at platform’ – I’m not sure which one it was."

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Oxford Circus was evacuated after a reported incident during rush hour

Speaking to Sky News, the man said crowds began to scream following the announcement and started to rush towards the exit of Oxford Circus station.

He continued: "Suddenly I just heard screaming and people running out of the station.

"And everybody just sort of turned around and then a bit of sort of pandemonium and just started to try and exit the tube as quickly as possible."

It is not clear exactly what has caused the drama, with authorities saying it was a "customer incident".

Scotland Yard urged anyone on Oxford Street to "go into a building" and said, "police have responded as if the incident is terrorist related."

The area will have been packed with rush-hour commuters and shoppers along the shopping street when the incident broke out, at around 4.38pm.

A witness said the area around the station had been cleared of people and traffic. Fire engines were heading towards the scene, the witness added.

The MET Police released a statement saying: "Police have responded as if the incident is terrorist related. Armed and unarmed officers are on scene and dealing along with colleagues from British Transport Police.

"If you are on Oxford Street go into a building and stay inside until further direction.

"Avoid travelling to the Oxford Street area.

"At this stage police have not located any casualties."

Police received a number of reports of shots being fired on Oxford Street as well as the underground station.

Oxford Circus, Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road tube stations, which are all on the central line, are currently closed.

The London Fire Brigade are also on the scene with three fire engines and 15 firefighters are at the scene.

Witnesses reported being locked inside shops including Zara and Urban Outfitters as well as the famous department store Selfridges after emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 4.30pm.